Maryland: Traffic signals Practice Test
Red, yellow and green lights, arrows, flashing signals, lane-use signals, signals that are not working, and pedestrian signals.
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Maryland Driver’s Manual" (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.
All 23 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
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Which of these can tell you to do something different from what a traffic control device says?
- A police officer or other emergency personnel
- A passenger riding in your vehicle
- A driver who is honking behind your vehicle
- A pedestrian waiting at the curb
Show answer
Correct answer: A police officer or other emergency personnel
Everyone must obey traffic control devices except when a police officer or other emergency personnel, or a uniformed school crossing guard, tells drivers to do something different.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 17
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Near a school, which uniformed person directing traffic can tell you to do something different from a traffic control device?
- A school bus passenger
- A parent dropping off a student
- A school crossing guard
- A crossing guard in plain clothes
Show answer
Correct answer: A school crossing guard
A school crossing guard in uniform who is directing traffic near a school is one of the only two exceptions to obeying every traffic control device.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 17
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When you come to an intersection, what may you NOT do to avoid obeying a traffic control device?
- Wait in the right lane until the signal changes
- Drive across private property or leave the road
- Come to a stop at the stop line
- Turn on your headlights while you wait
Show answer
Correct answer: Drive across private property or leave the road
At an intersection you may not drive across private property or leave the road to avoid obeying a traffic control device.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 17
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Which list names the three kinds of traffic control devices?
- Traffic signals, signs, and school crossing guards
- Signs, police officers, and pavement markings
- Traffic signals, speed bumps, and warning lights
- Traffic signals, signs, and pavement markings
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Correct answer: Traffic signals, signs, and pavement markings
Traffic control devices are traffic signals, signs, and pavement markings (lines on the road) that regulate, warn, and guide traffic.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 17
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A traffic signal is not working and there is no clearly marked stop line. Where must you stop?
- After entering the crosswalk
- In the middle of the intersection
- Before entering a crosswalk
- Beside the signal pole
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Correct answer: Before entering a crosswalk
When a signal is not working and there is no clearly marked stop line, you must stop before entering a crosswalk.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 17
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A traffic signal is not working and there is no clearly marked stop line or crosswalk. Where must you stop?
- At the center of the intersection
- Before entering the intersection
- Just after the first lane of cross traffic
- Only if another vehicle is approaching
Show answer
Correct answer: Before entering the intersection
If there is no clearly marked stop line or crosswalk, you must stop before entering the intersection.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 17
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You have stopped at an intersection where the traffic signal is not working. When may you go?
- As soon as the vehicle ahead of you moves
- Right after you have come to a complete stop at the line
- When another driver waves you through
- When it is safe to enter and continue through the intersection
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Correct answer: When it is safe to enter and continue through the intersection
You must yield to vehicles and pedestrians in the intersection and remain stopped until it is safe to enter and continue through it.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 17
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After a complete stop at a steady red signal, and unless a sign prohibits it, which turn besides a right turn may you make?
- A left turn from a two-way street to another two-way street
- A U-turn at any intersection
- A left turn from a one-way street to another one-way street
- Going straight through when no traffic is coming
Show answer
Correct answer: A left turn from a one-way street to another one-way street
Unless a sign prohibits turning on red, after a complete stop you may turn right or turn left from a one-way street to another one-way street.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 17
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What does a steady yellow signal mean?
- The signal is changing from red to green
- The signal is changing from green to red
- The signal is not working
- Pedestrians now have the right-of-way
Show answer
Correct answer: The signal is changing from green to red
A steady yellow signal means the signal is changing from green to red; it gives you time to stop safely.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 17
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The signal turns steady yellow when you are too close to the intersection to stop safely. What should you do?
- Brake hard and stop in the crosswalk
- Back up behind the stop line
- Stop where you are, even inside the intersection
- Carefully continue through the intersection
Show answer
Correct answer: Carefully continue through the intersection
If you are too close to the intersection to stop safely on a steady yellow, you should carefully continue through the intersection.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 17
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On a steady green signal, what must you check first before you go?
- That no other vehicles are in the intersection
- That the signal on the next block is also green
- That no vehicle is following you closely
- That the speed limit has not changed
Show answer
Correct answer: That no other vehicles are in the intersection
On a steady green, proceed with caution after you have checked first to see that no other vehicles are in the intersection.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 17
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You want to go in the direction a steady red arrow signal points. What must you do?
- Slow down and turn after yielding to all traffic
- Stop completely and stay stopped while the arrow is red
- Stop only if other vehicles are approaching
- Proceed after yielding to pedestrians
Show answer
Correct answer: Stop completely and stay stopped while the arrow is red
For a steady red arrow you must come to a complete stop and remain stopped as long as the arrow signal is red.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 18
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What does a steady yellow arrow signal mean?
- Permission to turn in the direction of the arrow is just beginning
- Oncoming traffic has stopped for you
- The arrow signal is not working
- Permission to turn in the direction of the arrow is ending
Show answer
Correct answer: Permission to turn in the direction of the arrow is ending
A steady yellow arrow means permission to turn in the direction of the arrow is ending; you should slow down and proceed with caution.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 18
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A steady green arrow signal points in your direction. Whom must you still yield to?
- All pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection
- Only oncoming vehicles with a green light
- Only pedestrians crossing in your direction
- No one; the arrow gives you absolute right-of-way
Show answer
Correct answer: All pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection
On a steady green arrow you proceed with caution but must yield to all pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 18
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What must you do at a flashing red signal?
- Slow down and proceed with caution, stopping only if a vehicle is close
- Stop only when other vehicles or pedestrians are in the intersection
- Stop completely, yield to other traffic and pedestrians, then go when clear
- Stop and remain stopped until the signal changes to steady green
Show answer
Correct answer: Stop completely, yield to other traffic and pedestrians, then go when clear
At a flashing red signal you must come to a complete stop at the stop line, yield to all other traffic and pedestrians, and proceed when the way is clear.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 18
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What must you do at a flashing yellow signal?
- Come to a complete stop before going on
- Stop and wait for a green signal
- Speed up to clear the intersection
- Slow down and proceed with caution
Show answer
Correct answer: Slow down and proceed with caution
A flashing yellow signal means you must slow down and proceed with caution.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 18
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You have stopped at a flashing red arrow signal. When may you go?
- In the direction of the arrow when the way is clear
- In any direction when the way is clear
- Only when the arrow turns to a steady yellow signal
- As soon as one pedestrian has crossed
Show answer
Correct answer: In the direction of the arrow when the way is clear
At a flashing red arrow you come to a complete stop, yield to all other traffic and pedestrians, and proceed in the direction of the arrow when the way is clear.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 18
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On some roads, traffic in certain lanes goes one way at some hours of the day and the other way at other hours. What are these lanes called?
- Express lanes
- Alternating lanes
- Reversible lanes
- Two-way left-turn lanes
Show answer
Correct answer: Reversible lanes
Lanes whose direction changes with the time of day, based on how heavy traffic is, are called reversible lanes, and lane use signals tell you which direction you can go.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 18
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What does a red "X" signal over a lane mean?
- You may drive in the lane
- You must never drive in that lane
- You can use the lane for a left turn
- You may drive in it only to pass
Show answer
Correct answer: You must never drive in that lane
You must never drive in a lane under a red "X" signal.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 18
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A green arrow signal points down at a lane. What does it mean for that lane?
- You must move out of the lane
- You may use the lane only for a left turn
- The lane is closed to traffic
- You may drive in the lane
Show answer
Correct answer: You may drive in the lane
You may drive in a lane under a green arrow signal.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 18
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A steady yellow "X" signal is shown over your lane. What should you do?
- Move out of the lane as soon as you safely can
- Stop in the lane and wait for the signal to change
- Speed up to get through quickly
- Use the lane only for a left turn
Show answer
Correct answer: Move out of the lane as soon as you safely can
A steady yellow "X" signal means you should move out of the lane as soon as you safely can.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 18
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What does a flashing yellow "X" signal or a two-way left-turn arrow over a lane mean?
- You must never drive in the lane
- You must move out of the lane right away
- You can use the lane for a left turn
- The lane is for through traffic only
Show answer
Correct answer: You can use the lane for a left turn
A flashing yellow "X" signal or two-way left-turn arrows mean you can use the lane for a left turn, likely sharing it with left-turning vehicles from the opposite direction.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 18
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On a crosswalk signal, a solid yellow light is shown to drivers. What does it tell them?
- Go
- Slow down and keep driving
- Get ready to stop
- Stop and stay stopped
Show answer
Correct answer: Get ready to stop
On a crosswalk signal, a solid yellow light tells drivers to get ready to stop.
Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2025 Edition (DL-002 10-25)), page 19